July 19, 2023

Brian O'Connor Obituary

Brian and Joan O'Connor.

North Ballarat Football Netball Club has lost a stalwart with the passing on July 1 of Life Member and former club president Brian O’Connor.

Brian died in his sleep at home on July 1.


His nephew David “Craft” Linane, is still a well-known identity around North and a current member of our Board.


Born in Springbank to John and Catherine O’Conner, Brian spent his formative years in and around Springbank and Gordon. He went to secondary school at St Patrick's College in Ballarat, where he became known for his sporting ability, in particular for his talents as a sprinter.


After finishing at St Patrick's in Form Five, Brian worked in the banking industry before moving to Melbourne to study accounting.


In 1959, he married Joan, who he described as “the love of his life”. Joan died in 2022.


Brian and Joan moved back to Ballarat in the 1970s and Brian worked at various dealerships before becoming dealer principal at SF Motors in 1972, where he stayed for 32 years.


An avid sportsman, Brian was recruited from YCA to North Ballarat in 1957. He played 154 senior games for North Ballarat and was a member of our 1959 grand final team. His teammates remember him as “a fast and elusive left footed wingman”.


He played football for North from 1957 to 1962, then had a short coaching stint at Creswick Football Club, before returning to North from 1965 to 1969.


His rap sheet for North includes:

  • 1958 – Doug Richards Memorial Trophy for Senior Most Improved Player
  • 1959 – Member of Senior Grand Final Team
  • 1960 – Senior Best Position Player Trophy
  • 1966 – George Newland Memorial Trophy for Seniors R/U B&F
  • 1962 – 100 Game medal
  • NBFC President – 1973 to 1974 & 1985 to 1986
  • 1986 – Awarded NBFC Life Membership


Brian was invited to train with Geelong in the VFL, but the invitation didn’t translate to a VFL career- according to son Peter, his love for the Richmond Tigers would have meant he could never have pulled on a Cats guernsey.


Brian was president of North Ballarat Football Club in the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, when players such as the now-legendary Tony Lockett, Mick Malthouse and Val Perovic were making their mark.


He will be remembered as a kind and generous man, a bit of a "stirrer", and somebody who loved a good laugh.


Brian and Joan had five children - John, Peter, Vincent, Jacinta and Leesa.


John and both junior and senior football with North. John played 147 senior club games and Peter played 99.



Rest In Peace, Brian.

Share This Article

Other articles you may like

June 27, 2025
This great man turns 75 today! Congratulations "Floody" (also known as “Floodman”, but christened "Ian" by his parents). Floody has been a fixture at our club for pretty much all of those 75 years – a very funny man and friend to all. He has a swathe of North honours – Hall of Famer, Life Member, 221 Senior Club Games, Best Clubman (1975), Reserves Best and Fairest (1979 and 1982) … the list goes on! He’s the living definition of a true Northie and we love him to bits. HAVE A RIPPER FLOODY! Thanks for all you've done for us over the years. Fun fact: Floody has a twin sister, Patricia Finn (pictured with him), so we send our best wishes to Pat from the North family today as well! See some images below - click them to view larger versions.
June 25, 2025
Enjoy our super Gallery of photos from this year's North Ball below. Click on the images for a larger view. You can also download the photos directly to your device using this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pyxficlu93eexdg12a8j4/AA_g-uEs6PTgNzhW1FOKiUM?rlkey=wywskre25favd2z79w9ca5bmy&st=ku5mgmxq&dl=0
Vale Wayne Strong
June 18, 2025
The North Ballarat family is sad to advise of the death of former Board Member Wayne Strong, who passed away recently at his home in Spain.
More Articles